The Blue Orchid Years

Chapter 14: One Point Ninety-Eight

September 15th 2626

Rain had convinced me to seek counseling, but first I needed to see if Moira would be on board with the idea. I invited her to grab some fries and coke at the Giant Burger Shack. Not the best place to have a heart-to-heart conversation, yes, but in my defense it was better than meeting in the dorm's common lounge where any of our friends could interfere in our private matters.

"Thank you for coming," I began. "I was wondering if you wouldn't mind being my companion for an important thing I am about to do."

"Why all the formality?" She laughed. "I've told you that I'll always be here if you need anything, haven't I? That offer still stands, relationship or no relationship."

"That's the thing, Moira. Answer me as honestly as you can. Why do you put up with me? You could just find a better person to be affectionate and attentive with."

She dunked a piece of fry in ketchup and left it there untouched before realizing that she was playing with her food. She gave me a sheepish smile and I had to restrain myself from giggling at how nervous she was. Why did she have to be so cute?

"I'm not putting up with you, Nardho. There's nothing to put up with. I'm simply looking out for you because you need someone to look after you."

"But who'll look after you while you look after me? I don't want you to--" I started to argue but Moira's hand on top of mine stopped me in my tracks. "What are you doing?"

"You don't want me to stretch myself thin. I get it," she squeezed my hand gently and I just sat there dumbstruck. "You don't need to worry about me. Right now what you need is to resolve your issues one by one."

"I-- don't know where to begin. I was thinking of going to a counselor but I'm not sure."

"This is more or less related to Lee, right?" Moira quipped without missing a beat. "Your inability to concentrate on your assignments, your sour mood, your reclusiveness, everything is attributable to some raw and unprocessed grief."

I was stunned. Did she just peer into my soul? Was I that readable?

"Hey Nardho... I think I need to apologize for the other day." Moira fiddled with the straw in her drink.

"For slapping me?"

"Yeah. It was in the heat of the moment. I shouldn't have. You'll never ever strike me, so I feel bad about leasing out at you."

When I was slapped, I had a primal urge to slap back. Yet, a part of me understood that I was being an irrational prick. She had the justification for being cross with me. I was ready to just let it slide, but here she was, regretting what she did. Maybe we were both in the wrong.

"It was not the first time I received a slap from a girl. Besides, I probably needed to be reminded of how illogical I could be."

"Let me guess. Nardhia? You got into a fight with her?"

"Twins fight all the time and make up shortly after," I shrugged. "No big deal. We were very young and didn't know better."

"Is she the only girl you've ever allowed yourself to lay a finger on?"

"Moira, you know me," I looked up from my tray of French fries. "I can never hit any girl, even if she is my sister. The only person I've ever hit was Wyatt and he's a guy."

"I think guys should be allowed to slap back whoever slaps him first. Gender equality, right?" She raised her glass as if proposing a toast. I didn't raise mine.